Mr. Mansford to Stand for Mayor Again

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 62, 16 March 1944, Page 4

Mr. Mansford to Stand for Mayor Again

J ! Mr. A. L. Mansford, at the request j )of a deputation of businessmen and others who waited upon him yesterday, ] lias consented to stand again for the j Palmerston North Mayoralty or if 1 : there should be any other aspirants, to 1 leave the selection of a suitable candi- ' date in the hands of a citizens ’ com- f mittee. 1 The deputation was headed by Mr. \ i G. (J. Petersen, who said it would be ' very much in the interests of the city 1 j if Mr. Mansford would stand again. He i had worthily upheld the dignity of office and had also worthily represented Palmerston North when obliged to do so outside the city. “In your hands , our interests have been well looked after,” added Mr. Petersen. It was appreciated that Mr. Mansford had had ! a very difficult period of office and it | might well be that the coming three | years would bo equally as exactiug : which was one reason why the affairs ! of the city should be left in Mr. MansI ford’s hands. The liuanees of the ; Council had been well looked after and j Mr. Mansford had shown sympathy with all sections of the community. 11c had never allowed personal or political considerations to come before his duty to the citizens. Mr. Petersen also referred to the services Mrs. Mansford had given to the city as Mayoress. She had been a tower of strength to patriotic .organisations and much of the success which had attended those activities in Palmerston North, had been due to her efforts and enthusiasm. Mr. Mansford, in reply, said he felt honoured that after 15 years he should be again asked to stand for a further term. Probably the first four years of office had been the most exacting for him because the depression was with I them then. While it had been difficult 1 tor him as Mayor, it had been more difficult for Mrs. Mansford and probably the deputation, in asking him to stand again, had been prompted more by the work Mrs. Mansford had done for the city. The Mayor paid tribute to the work of past Councils and the cooperation he had received from citizens. He had a rooted objection to one man retaining office too long and thereby preventing younger men from seeking office, and for that reason he had made up his mind not to sock nomination again. Another factor was that the exacting duties of office had forced him to neglect his own business. However, others were making sacrifices and in these days people must look a little further than their own ends. He had given serious thought to the matter and decided that if it were the wish of the majority of citizens, he would again offer his services, or if there were some younger aspirant, then to leave the choice in the hands of a citizens’ committee. He and Mrs. Mansford were probably fortunate in having no family ties and so could give more time to the office than others.